Feasibility study for East Coast Greenway given go ahead

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A feasibility study for a Greenway route from Wicklow to Greystones has been given the go ahead today by Wicklow County Council.

Consultancy firm Ws Atkins will begin the study immediately with the aim to be completed by November.

The study aims to plot the most efficient route along the coast in a way that is most sympathetic to landowners and the National Parks and Wildlife service.

Commenting today, Chairperson of the East Coast Greenway group Ciarán Lally said: “We cannot thank Wicklow County Council enough for their support. We have had great engagement from the new Chief Executive Frank Curran from the day he took office, and indeed every council official we have met thus far has been fully supportive and a joy to work with.

“The fact that Wicklow County Council have stepped up to provide funding for the appointment of these consultants shows great commitment to the project and we are excited to be working with WS Atkins to complete the feasibility study. ”

Huge public support has been shown for a Greenway connecting Wicklow’s coastal towns after a petition to secure funding received over 8,400 signatures.

The proposed route will have enormous economic benefit for towns along route as well as encourage good health and wellbeing for the people of Wicklow, the East Coast Greenway Group have said.

It is understood that in conjunction with the feasibility study, the Office of Public Works are close to appointing consultants to a coastal erosion defense feasibility plan — such a project is vital in order to protect a future Greenway from coastal damage, according to the East Coast Greenway group Chairman.

“We would like to thank the public for their support and would encourage everybody to like our Facebook page to keep up to speed on all future developments,” Mr Lally added.